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Covington, Virginia: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Covington is an independent city in western Virginia, which means it belongs to no county. The Jackson River runs through it and does most of the work: swimming, tubing, kayaking, and a 14-mile scenic trail running alongside the water. Falling Springs is over 80 feet of waterfall a short drive out of town. The bridge is from 1857.

Covington, Virginia is small and covers a surprising amount of ground. Hiking trails and waterfalls, historical landmarks and a community that will talk to you: it is all here and none of it is far apart.

The Love Sign in downtown Covington is the landmark everyone photographs. Visitors and locals both stop at it, and it turns up on social media more than anything else in the city. It is also only the start of what Covington has.

Outdoor country or history: Covington covers both without asking you to choose. Hiking trails and biking adventures on one side, the area’s heritage on the other. For a group or a family there are art and heritage experiences alongside community events and festivals through the year.

Key Takeaways

• Covington’s Love Sign is a must-visit landmark for tourists and locals alike.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will love the area’s hiking trails and biking adventures.
• From historical landmarks to community experiences, there’s something for everyone in Covington.

The Love Sign of Covington

The Love Sign is the romantic stop in Covington, and it earns the reputation. Visitors and locals photograph it constantly, which tells you most of what you need to know. It works for a couple and it works for a group of friends being silly.

The Love Sign stands in downtown Covington, near the intersection of Main Street and Maple Avenue. You will not miss it: large, bright red, with “LOVE” spelled out in bold letters. A selfie, a group photo or a wedding backdrop all work equally well against it.

The Love Sign is more than a photo opportunity, though. It stands for the community spirit that runs through Covington, and locals treat it that way. The local artist Bill Fischer created it, and the city has taken it to heart since.

Hopeless romantic or simply after a good photograph, the Love Sign is the landmark in Covington nobody skips. Take the picture and share it with the hashtag #LoveCovington.

Hiking Trails and Biking Adventures

Covington, Virginia is proper outdoor country, and both the hiking and the cycling are better than the size of the city suggests. Boots or bike, either will keep you busy.

The hiking first. Covington has some of the more scenic and demanding walking in this part of the state. The Allegheny Highlands Trail is the hard one, 25 miles with the mountains open along it and best suited to experienced hikers. The Jackson River Scenic Trail is the gentler option, 14 miles following the Jackson River at a pace that suits a conversation.

The biking is just as good. The Douthat State Park Trail is the mountain biking, 40 miles across varied terrain and built for riders who know what they are doing. The Jackson River Scenic Trail takes the family version, flat and easy the whole way.

No bike is not a problem. The Jackson River Sports Complex rents them, including mountain bikes, hybrids and tandems, and they run guided tours for anyone who would rather not set off alone.

The hiking and biking trails around Covington are the reason to give this city more than an afternoon. Get outside and use them.

Waterfalls and Lakes

Covington, Virginia has good water for cooling off, and two places stand out. Both are short drives and both are worth the trip:

Falling Springs

Falling Springs is a waterfall just outside Covington, a short drive from town and worth every minute of it. The fall is over 80 feet tall with dense greenery around it, and the viewing platform gets you properly close. Take a camera.

Gathright Dam

Gathright Dam is the man-made lake, and it handles swimming, fishing and boating. Mountains and forest surround it, which makes it a good picnic or a good walk depending on the mood. There are campsites nearby if you want to stay the night. Pack bug spray.

A slow day by the water or a proper hike to a waterfall: Covington covers both. Bring a swimsuit and boots and decide when you get there.

Historical Landmarks

Covington has landmarks that genuinely feel their age, which is rarer than the phrase suggests. The historical stops in the area:

Humpback Covered Bridge

The Humpback Covered Bridge is the landmark of Covington. It was built in 1857, which makes it one of the oldest covered bridges in Virginia, and it takes its name from the hump-shaped design that let taller boats pass underneath. It now serves as a photo stop and a picnic spot. You can walk across it, and you should watch your step while you do.

Alleghany County

Alleghany County has its own history worth a morning. The Alleghany Historical Society runs a museum open to the public covering the county’s past. The Mallow Mall is the hands-on version, a restored 19th-century general store where the shelves still carry old-fashioned candy and toys.

History or simply a good photograph, these landmarks earn the visit. Take a camera and a picnic lunch and make a morning of Covington’s history.

Fun Activities in Covington

Covington runs a wider range of activities than a city this size normally sustains. Thrill-seeker or someone after a slow day out, both are covered.

Kayaking Experience

Kayaking is the one to try if you want to work for the view. Covington has rivers and lakes worth paddling and the country reads differently from the water. Local outfitters rent kayaks by the day. Bring sunscreen and a waterproof camera.

Swimming

On a hot day in Covington, the swimming holes are the answer. The Jackson River is where people go, and there are local swimming pools if you would rather have a lifeguard. Take a towel and something to eat, because the afternoon goes quickly.

Tubing

Tubing is the laziest good idea available here. Grab a tube, get in and let the river carry you, with the scenery going past at exactly the right speed. Expect a few bumps, because the rapids are not entirely decorative.

Whatever you came for, Covington has a version of it. Get out and start with the river.

Do the water first, while the day is still warm. Tube or swim the Jackson River, then dry off walking the Jackson River Scenic Trail. Falling Springs and Gathright Dam are the afternoon, and both are short drives out. Leave the Humpback Covered Bridge and the Love Sign until the light goes golden, because that is when they photograph properly. Eat downtown.

Art and Heritage

Covington is more of an arts town than its size suggests. Some of the better artists in the state work here, and most of them are happy to show you what they are doing. It is a good place to slow down for a long weekend.

The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is the one to visit. You can see the work of local artists and take a class while you are there, with the programme running from pottery to painting. You go home with whatever you made, which is a better souvenir than the alternative.

For heritage, the C&O Railway Heritage Center covers the history of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway properly. There are old trains to walk around, the story of the people who worked them, and a ride on a vintage train at the end.

The Alleghany Historical Society Museum is the other heritage stop. The artifacts and the accounts of the people who shaped this area give you the context for everything else in Covington.

Art or heritage, Covington has more of both than you would expect. Come and take a long weekend over it. Something here tends to catch people.

Community Experiences

The community is what people remember about Covington. The locals are friendly in a way that is not performed, and the events calendar keeps something running most of the year.

The festivals are the fastest way in. Music, food and art are all covered across the year, and the ones people name are the Covington Cork and Pork Festival, the Humpback Rocks Farm Festival and the Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon.

It is not only the big events. Covington’s community guidelines ask residents and visitors alike to be decent to one another, and it shows. Do not be surprised when somebody starts a conversation in the grocery store or offers to show you around.

For something more involved, consider volunteering with one of the local organizations. The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center and the Jackson River Scenic Trail both take help, and it is the fastest way to actually meet people.

And then there are the local restaurants and bars in Covington, which are where the community actually gathers. Southern comfort food through to international cooking, and the room is usually lively whichever one you pick.

Come to Covington and see the community for yourself. It is the part of the trip that lasts.

TripAdvisor Reviews and Ratings

Planning a trip to Covington, Virginia is easier with other people’s notes. TripAdvisor carries reviews and ratings from travelers who have already done it, which is a reasonable place to start.

Read what people say before you book anything. Whether they are enthusiastic about the views at Humpback Bridge or cautious about Falling Springs Waterfall, both are useful. The detail in a middling review is often worth more than the rating.

Not every review is worth the same, though. A bad day or bad weather colors an account, and so does excessive enthusiasm. Read a few and average them out.

That is not a reason to skip TripAdvisor. The site is genuinely good for finding the smaller attractions and the ones off the usual route, and you can filter by date, rating and traveler type to get to the reviews that match how you actually travel.

Read a few reviews, then plan the Covington trip around what you actually want. It takes an evening.

Parking and Transportation

Parking is the usual traveler’s headache and Covington is not one of the places it applies. Parking lots are scattered throughout the city and finding a space is rarely a problem. Note where you left the car, because the streets look similar after a long day.

If you would rather not drive, there are alternatives. Taxis are reliable and there are plenty of them in Covington. Expect to pay something for the convenience.

Shuttles are the cheaper option. They are less comfortable than a taxi and they get you where you are going, and sharing the ride is half the appeal for some people.

And there is always walking. Covington is a small city, so getting around on foot is genuinely practical. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, because you will end up going further than you planned.

Planning Your Visit

Covington, Virginia is a good choice and an easy one to organise. A few things worth knowing before you go.

When to Visit

Fall is the season to aim for in Covington, when the leaves turn and the air sharpens up. The country around the city is at its best then. Winter is the other option if you want the snow and the sports that come with it, and you should pack accordingly.

Where to Stay

Covington runs the full range of places to stay, from small bed and breakfasts to proper hotels. For something different, a cabin or a yurt puts you out in the country with the amenities still intact.

How to Get There

Covington sits in the western part of Virginia, roughly a six-hour drive from Virginia Beach. Flying, the closest airport is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, about an hour and a half out. Rent a car or book a shuttle, because you will want wheels once you arrive.

Discounts and Bookings

Check online for discounts and special offers on attractions, accommodations and transportation before you commit to anything. A hotel deal or reduced museum entry is usually there if you look. Book ahead regardless, because availability is the real constraint here.

Contact Information

The local tourism board is the place to take any questions about a trip to Covington. They will help you plan and they answer properly rather than sending a brochure.

That is everything you need. Start planning the trip to Covington, Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the zip code for Covington, Virginia? I want to send a postcard to my grandma.

That is a thoughtful thing to do. The zip code for Covington, Virginia is 24426. Put it on the postcard and it will not end up somewhere like Narnia or Westeros.

Is Covington a town or a city? I need to know for my trivia night team.

A fair question, and the answer is a good one. Covington is an independent city, which means it is not part of any county in the state. That is a genuinely useful piece of trivia around here.

Can you recommend any fun things to do with kids near Covington? Preferably something that won’t make me want to pull my hair out.

The Humpback Covered Bridge is the easy answer, good for a picnic and family photographs in the same stop. Falling Springs Waterfall is the walk, and the scenery does the rest of the work for you. Lost World Caverns is the other one on the list, and it makes for an educational afternoon.

What is Covington known for? Besides being the home of the world’s biggest ball of yarn, of course.

The world’s biggest ball of yarn is not one of Covington’s assets, whatever anyone tells you. What Covington does have is a historic downtown that has stood in for other places in films and on TV. For anyone who spends time outdoors, the nearby Alleghany Highlands Trail and Douthat State Park are the two to know. The local restaurants and breweries are the reason to stay for dinner.

Frequently asked questions about Covington, Virginia

How tall is the waterfall at Falling Springs near Covington?

Over 80 feet, with a viewing platform that puts you close enough to feel it. It is a short drive from town and it costs nothing to visit. Bring a camera, because the greenery around the fall does half the work for you.

Can you walk across the Humpback Covered Bridge?

Yes. The bridge was built in 1857, which makes it one of the oldest covered bridges in Virginia, and it takes its name from the hump that once let taller boats pass beneath it. It doubles as a picnic spot. Watch your step on the boards.

Which trail near Covington, Virginia suits a family?

The Jackson River Scenic Trail, 14 flat miles along the river, easy enough for a leisurely walk or a family bike ride. The Allegheny Highlands Trail is the 25-mile one for experienced hikers. Bikes are for rent at the Jackson River Sports Complex, tandems included.

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